Umzingisi partners with Pearson High School

Umzingisi has started a very promising relationship with one of the top multi-racial high schools in Port Elizabeth. From the beginning of 2010, Pearson High School has and will be continuing to offer scholarships to talented kids brought to them by Umzingisi. The kids have to excel in sport and ideally start in grade 8 at Pearson as this works out best for their academic progress.

For this year, we have three rugby boys attending the school in grade 8. Brad, Sithembiso and Sibulele were selected last year and they all played U/13 provincial level rugby at the time. They have adjusted well to the new school, although the school workload has proven to be much tougher than primary school. We will be putting in practice some assistance for these boys with the academics. Their afternoons are packed with extra-mural activities but we will make use of the volunteers to help with homework and such on their free afternoons.

At the moment, the selection for next year’s scholarships is in progress and we are looking to have a mixed selection of boys and girls. It has been great working with Pearson as they have really shown the passion to develop the kids; both on and off the field. Both the headmaster, Mr van Staden and the sports convener, Mr van de Merwe, have been very welcoming to and supportive in continuing the relationship between Umzingisi and Pearson High School.

We all look forward to seeing these kids progress at Pearson and we thank the school for the opportunity awarded to these and the upcoming scholars.